Apps will not Open on Windows

Few things can be more frustrating than trying to open a program that you need desperately but it simply refuses to start. While this is not a common Windows problem, users that do encounter it may feel quite stumped, as to how to resolve the issue. Some of the more obvious suggestions include checking for any newly-released Windows updates and installing them. Users also can uninstall the malfunctioning application and then do a fresh install. If the particular application still not opening, take a look at the potential solutions outlined below and see if they are able to help. 

Reset the Store cache

If you can't open the Store application or update any of the applications installed through it, resetting the Windows Store cache has a high chance of helping. By resetting the cache only, users will keep their account settings and installed applications intact. The first step in the process is to open an elevated Command Prompt window.

1. Type command prompt in the search field on the Taskbar.
2. Either right-click the top result and choose 'Run as administrator' or pick the options from the ones available on the right. 
3. Once the Command Prompt window is up, type wsreset.exe in it and press Enter on your keyboard.
4. Close the Command Prompt and try running the Store app. 

Check the Application Identity Service Status

The Application Identity Service is employed by AppLocker when it comes to verifying the identity of an application. If the service is not running, it could lead to many applications refusing to start.  

1. Type run in the search field on the Taskbar and open the top result.
2. In the Run box, type services.msc and click 'OK.'
3. In the new window, locate 'Application Indentite' and double-click on it.
4. In the 'Properties' window, find the 'Service Status' field.
5. If the status is shown as 'Stopped,' then click on 'Start.'
6. Click 'Apply' and then 'OK' to save the changes.
7. Finally, close the 'Services' window and restart the computer.

Change FilterAdministratorToken

If alongside the malfunctioning applications, the Start menu also is refusing to open, even when using an admin account, a potential solution might be to change the FilterAdministratorToken via RegistryEditor. 

1. The first step in the process is to open a Run dialog box. Type run in the search field on the Taskbar and click on the top result. 
2. Inside the Run window, type regedit and click on 'OK'.
3. Now, navigate to the following path - HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINES\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\System
4. After opening the System folder, take a look at the registry files listed on the right side and locate 'FilterAdministratorToken.' 
5. Double-click it.
6. Select 'DWORD (32-bit) Value.' 
7. Type 1 under 'Value data' and click 'OK.'
8. Close the Registry Editor window and restart the PC.

If there is no 'FilterAdministratorToken' in the System folder, you can create one. Right-click anywhere on the right pane and select 'New,' followed by 'DWORD (32-bit) Value.' Now, change the name of the new value to 'FilterAdministratorToken' and follow the rest of the instructions.